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After Chinese newspaper Global Times published an open letter from employees at a Shenzhen Gucci flagship detailing complaints about working conditions — including rules dictating that employees request permission before using the bathroom or drinking water — the luxury Italian fashion house has initiated an investigation into local mismanagement.

For the past few years, retailers have been refining their mobile offerings in advance of the holiday season. Keeping up with consumer demand has meant providing pricing information, product specifications and customer reviews to mobile users — all leading reasons why last year’s holiday shoppers turned to mobile.

Goupon’s deal counter will no longer accurately reflect the total number of Groupons customers have bought for each deal, the company said in a statement. Instead of showing the actual number of Groupons purchased, the company will display an imprecise count that has been reduced by between 0.5 percent and 19.5 percent.

In response to its 9 million Facebook fans asking for a more local focus, Walmart launched the My Local Walmart Facebook application, which will include more than 3,500 store-specific Facebook pages. The app will provide locally relevant information for U.S. Walmart stores, including new products, rollbacks and in-store events. Walmart and Facebook will continue to test, improve and add additional features to the app as users provide feedback. From the checkout line to our Facebook wall, Walmart continues to engage with and listen to its customers, says Stephen Quinn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Walmart U.S.

Wal-Mart is launching a Facebook app that customizes marketing for each of its nearly 3,600 U.S. stores, allowing tailored communications about local deals, events or limited-distribution products. Eventually, Wal-Mart also hopes to use the My Local Walmart app to grow its site-to-store e-commerce program and evolve it into an individualized marketing program.

Etsy has launched three new shopping pages: Fashion, Kids, and Home and Garden. Etsy Spokesperson Adam Brown said the company's goal is to promote discovery through a blend of different features and tools for buyers and sellers.

U.K. retail giant Marks & Spencer has unveiled its latest multichannel innovation to make it easier for busy customers around the holiday period. The company has launched a new click and collect service, which allows customers to order the food they want online and then pick it up from the closest participating store.

The NRF Foundation, the education arm of the National Retail Federation, announced the launch of the National Retail Federation Student Association, which will offer member students the opportunity to leverage NRF’s vast retail network to take advantage of education and networking opportunities.

New York City -- Despite ongoing concerns about the economy, retailers fared surprisingly well in September, helped by the tail end of back-to-school shopping and cooler temperatures. Overall, Thomson Reuters, which tracks same-store sales for a group of 23 national chains, said the group was expected to post a 4.6% increase in same-store sales for September. Retailers surpassed expectations, with a 5.1% rise led by strong performances from Target, Limited Brands, Zumiez and Costco Wholesale, among others. Walgreens, however, disappointed with a 3.1% rise in same-store sales, missing analysts’ expectations. Still, the U.S. consumer in September "showed resilience in

Macy's is partnering with fit personalization software provider True Fit to launch virtual sizing technology on its website, mobile site and in-store kiosks. Using the technology, shoppers can see which of the retailer's clothes and shoes will fit them on screen — without having to physically try on the apparel.